Page 96 - Social Norms Survey

described it thus: “Becah Instagram, Sir, some awesome

sitten deh pon e. And like yuh put up yuh picture dem,
Sir, yuh see how much like yuh get and become famous,

Sir.” WhatsApp is valued as a way of keeping in contact
with friends and family, including those overseas, saving

the expense of phone credit. Lower down in popularity
is Facebook and

even lower is
Twitter. Everyone

uses YouTube and
Google Search.

Among young adults, Instagram seems to be very

popular and is used by everyone, as well as WhatsApp.
Snapchat is also very popular with them. Facebook is

more popular than the other social media with the
students. Only one group mentioned YouTube.

Social Media Likes

At least half the students followed persons on Instagram
and had followers. The number of persons followed

ranged from 20 (friends) to 50 to 200 to 2,000, including
“big people” like Americans Cardi B, a female rapper, and singer Bruno Mars (names

provided by one female student). The girls complained about old men looking for young
girls on Instagram, giving sex talk and sending naked pictures. They said blocking did not

seem to work. 46

Students were asked: “How important are ‘likes’ for most youth?” The answers from all
groups were an overwhelming “Very important!” This is another reason that persons use

Instagram and Facebook. For the girls ‘likes’ mean you are popular, you are pretty, you
are liked, and you have friends. The boys in both groups have a different emphasis. Boys

see ‘likes’ in terms of fame and of attracting girls, the latter a major focus in their lives,
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46 The Facilitator suggested they check their privacy settings or report these things to Facebook.

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